You know you're a nurse when ...

A recent randomized trial* showed that marijuana extract pills may help some patients with multiple sclerosis. The study showed a clinically meaningful reduction in perceived stiffness in 29% of patients taking the cannabis extract.

Apparently, body pain, spasms, and other outcomes responded positively to the cannabis pills as well. However, there were associated side effects.

Some of them were common with side effects of marijuana usage: feeling “high” from the drug, (several of those in the study debated whether this was truly an unwanted side effect), dizziness, attention deficit, balance problems, sleepiness, dry mouth, and confusion.

There is also a rumor that study subjects had the overwhelming desire to run into the nearest 7-ll to purchase a large bag of Doritos and a Big Gulp.  (OK, I made that up that part!)

Since the study’s release, reports have noted that researchers have been overwhelmed with volunteers for a phase IV study. Two problems with that: They aren’t running a phase IV study and, besides, most of those volunteering have been healthy 50-year-olds begging to be in the intervention group.

You just gotta’ love research!

Keeping it real,

Nurse Jackie

* Zajicek JP, et al “Multiple sclerosis and extract of cannabis: results of the MUSEC trial” J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2012; 83: 1125–1132.

The Real Nurse Jackie is written by Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC, a 2012 APEX Award of Excellence winner for Blog Writing. Vance is a real life long-term care nurse who is also the director of clinical affairs for the American Medical Directors Association. A nationally respected nurse educator and past national LTC Nurse Administrator of the Year, she also is an accomplished stand-up comedienne. She has not starred in her own national television series — yet.